Piano Teachers
Penny Grimes
Piano/Voice
Penny holds a Bachelor of Music degree. She has over 20 years of experience as a church pianist and as a piano and voice teacher. She has played in the pit orchestra for several musicals and has accompanied numerous performers. Penny is very familiar with a variety of styles of music so can help students find the style that suits them best. Many of her students have gone on to prestigious music colleges and have careers as musicians or teachers.
Joseph Saksa
Piano / Organ
Joe holds a Bachelor of Music degree. He has worked as an organist, choral accompanist, and piano/organ teacher for over 20 years. He has also taught private and class piano at the Conservatory of Piano in Columbus, Ohio for 12 years. He currently serves as the Music Director at Trinity United Church of Christ in Fairborn. Joe enjoys working with a variety of students at all skill levels.
TESTIMONIAL: “Mr. Saksa makes piano very easy” Karina
Carol Ann Johnson
Piano
Carol Ann has over 20 years of experience as a church pianist. She has several years of experience as an accompanist for the Franklin High School Choir and has performed at many weddings. Carol Ann also has over 20 years of experience as a piano teacher. She has taught students of all ages and has never found a student who could not be taught how to play the piano. She enjoys sharing her passion for music and her joy of piano with her students.
Audrey Williamson
Piano/Voice
Audrey holds a Bachelor of Music degree, performed with the Collegiate Chorale at the National Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, the 2012 World Choir Games, and more. She also had the opportunity to form a pop acappella group, Frequency. Audrey focuses on developing a true understanding of music and music theory early on to promote success for students. She individualizes voice and piano lessons by incorporating a variety of music and utilizing technology.
Drew Cremisio
Drew Cremisio is experienced as a performer and teacher. He received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Murray Stare University in Kentucky. As a student, performed in the Owensboro and Paducah Symphony Orchestras which is a great honor. Mr. Cremisio was awarded the Kool Jazz Festival Scholarship, the Berklee Scholarship, and the Art Farmer Jazz Master Award to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Studies there were in Professional Music concentrating on composition, arranging, jazz performance, and studio recording while serving as Assistant Conductor and Solo Cornet for the Berklee Wind Ensemble.
On a full merit-based scholarship, he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Mr. Cremisio traveled to Europe to perform at the International Mahler Festival in Paris, record an album in London, and appear on the BBC. He also has performed with; Ed Shaughnessy (former Tonight Show Drummer), David Baker, Jamey Abersold, Tommy Tune, Anton Nell, Midori, Sharon Lawrence, and can be heard on several recordings.
As an educator, Mr. Cremisio worked as a Music Specialist in the Northwest Local Schools, conducted the High School Concert Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Ensemble/Class, Beginning Band, and taught General Music at the Primary Level and the Middle School.